Is It Harry Potter or Just British? - Episode 340

 

Image: Wizarding World/Universal (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has embedded itself into the hearts and minds of a generation of Americans. The books and films having a predominantly British background were, for the most part, translated into American English when released in the USA. For example, the first book 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' became 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' in the US. Some of the food items and mechanics of Hogwarts School in the books were assumed to be an invention of Rowling and not just an everyday, normal British thing.

What did you assume was an invention of JK Rowling?

The Fantastic Beasts Franchise - Episode 307

 

Image: Wizarding World (CC-BY-SA-4.0)

The Fantastic Beasts franchise has had a lot to deal with since starting. A spin off of the mega-successful Harry Potter franchise, it's gone through a lot of turmoil behind the scenes to get the films made, including a major cast change for the latest film. Johnny Depp's Grindelwald is now Mads Mikkelsen in the role and Wizarding World creator JK Rowling has gotten herself into hot water regarding some comments she's made.

Do you think there needs to be any more Fantastic Beasts movies?

Social Media's Favourite Christmas Movies - Episode 299

 

We polled people on our social media and asked them to give us their favourite Christmas films so we could make an episode of our podcast about them and here we have done just that! Some surprises in this years polls, some old films resurface as favourites and some newly released ones race up there too. Personally, the classics can never be topped I think.

What say ye all? 

Daniel Craig's James Bond - Episode 289

 

Image: Metacritic.com (CC BY 4.0)

Daniel Craig's tenure as James Bond 007 has come to an end. With the release of No Time To Die, only his 5th film, he's been in the role for 15 years and has decided to leave the role. After seeing the film, many fans will be divided on its plot, in particular the ending.

What do you think of No Time To Die?

The British Invasion of The 1960s - Episode 201

 

United Press International, photographer unknown, Public domain.

It isn't taught much in schools, but in 1964 the USA was invaded by Britain. No, it was not a military incursion, but a cultural and musical one. The Beatles, arguably the most famous band in the world, landed at Idlewild airport (soon to be renamed JFK in honour of the recently deceased President) in New York City on February 7th 1964 to an estimated five thousand screaming fans. Two days later, they made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show and 73 million Americans got their first look at what was to come in the years that followed.

What is your favourite British Invasion band?

Sir Sean Connery (1930 - 2020) - Episode 197

Connery as James Bond 007 in Dr. No (1962) (Danjaq LLC)

 

Sir Sean Connery has passed away at the age of 90. We look back on his remarkable life and career in this episode, from his impoverished upbringing in Edinburgh, through his rising star in the 1950s, to his explosion when he brought Ian Fleming's British secret agent James Bond 007 to life on the big screen in the 1960s. Of course, Bond is the role that made Connery a star but it's also not unfair to say that Connery made Bond and since his retirement from the role in 1967 (With brief recurrences in 1971 and 1983 respectively) and despite Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan and current holder of the Walther PPK, Daniel Craig assuming the role, Connery is still associated with it.

What is your favourite Sean Connery film?

Top 3 Scary Movies - Episode 196

So, Halloween is almost upon us! If you're American, chances are this is a big deal for you. Americans, especially the Northern variety, are OBSESSED with Halloween. Candy, Scary movies, more Candy, Pumpkin carving, more scary movies, dressing up, more candy, more scary movies and then trick or treating then its home to count all the candy you got.

What are your top 3 scary movies??

Borat: A Cultural Make Benefit Appreciation - Episode 195

 

A still from Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. (CC BY 2.0)

Hello people of Amedika! If you have not heard of Borat Margaret Sagdiyev, Kazakhstan's most infamous export, then you probably have never seen the original Borat film from 2006 or are not familiar with the man behind Borat; Sacha Baron Cohen. 14 years after the first film, Amazon Studios have released Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. It's timely, considering the election that looms for the "American Regime" and some critics hope that in a better future, it will be looked back on with more laughter and less cringe than it is at the present.

What do you think of Borat?

Enola Holmes - Episode 187

 

Netflix / CC BY 2.0

 "What is Enola Holmes?!" I hear you ask! Well, it's the newest offering from Netflix starring Millie Bobby Brown of Stranger Things fame. Enola Holmes is based on the popular young adult series of books by Nancy Springer and set in the original time period that her older brother Sherlock Holmes is set. The character of Sherlock features in this film, played by Henry Cavill who aquits himself well in the role but he's no Jeremy Brett or Benedict Cumberbatch. When Sherlock and Mycroft (Sam Claflin) return to the family home when their mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham-Carter) disappears. Listen to the episode to see whether we go off topic or not! (We do. We start talking about David Harbour and Lily Allen getting married! I KNOW!)

Have you seen Enola Holmes? What did you think of it?

Discussing Outlander Characters + Character Development - Episode 139

Roger MacKenzie (Richard Rankin) in Outlander Season 5.

Outlander is back with season 5 and it couldn't have come at a better time with pretty much the entire planet under orders to stay at home. In this episode, we're discussing the characters and their development over the course of the show and which ones we like and which ones we are getting annoyed with (Hint: It's Roger.)


This is part one of a two part series. Who are your favourite and least favourite characters on Outlander?

Living In America: Is It Like In The Movies?

Image: Wikimedia Commons

America for many Brits seems like a wondrous place. Thanks to a lot of movies and television, we've grown up with this perception that they all ride around on horses in Texas and are cowboys, they all eat Chinese food from little white boxes, all the taxis are yellow and checkered, all the school buses are yellow and everyone has guns.

Well. I'm here to tell you that it's all true. Every last bit of it. All the stereotypes. Just kidding. April Fools and all that. Though that would have been something if everyone had believed me.

No, the only thing that's fully true about those perceptions are that they do all eat Chinese take out food from little white boxes (Well, the rice anyway) and all school buses ARE yellow.

But no, the rest of it is not. The most important of these is the gun stereotype. Yes, some people do have guns but they're not walking around with them on the hip ready for a quick draw. The people you see at those gun conventions walking around with assault rifles, those conventions are usually held at secret locations in the desert because the people are paranoid that they'll be persecuted for their love of firearms. Which, in truth, they very well may be.

So, to sum it up, America is not like it is in the movies, except for the good bits. Whatever those good bits are, they're up to you to decide.

Our Three Fictional Dinner Party Guests - Episode 123

Image: Still from the film, Clue, Fair Use

We had so much fun choosing dead people to invite to a make-believe dinner party (we're adults), that we decided to do a second podcast episode where we each chose three fictional characters to invite to a non-existent dinner party.  They could be characters from literature, film, television, etc., but they could not now, nor ever have existed in real life.  Fun, right?  Well, I was excited anyway.  Dominic and I didn't reveal the characters we chose to one another before we started recording.  Tune in to see if we chose any of the same people, or if we could guess who the other did, in fact, choose to have over for dinner.  And once you've had a chance to listen to today's episode, join in the fun and let us know who you would invite to dinner.

Living In America: Why Are Brits Always The Bad Guys?

Charles Dance in 1993's Last Action Hero.

 
Further on our Podcast Episode where we discussed the British trope in American films, why ARE Brits always the bad guys? And not just in movies either!

When I'm around Americans, I always get the feeling that they think I'm plotting some evil plot, scheming some dastardly scheme or just plain old planning to take over the world. Maybe my maniacal laugh gives me away?

Maybe my random pointing at people and saying "You have interfered in my plans for the LAST TIME!" before pressing a conveniently located button and opening up a hole in the ground underneath them gives them a cause for concern?

Despite all that, Brits always seem to play the bad guy because they're just different enough. Their background is just different enough to give that feeling of "Oh, they're definitely evil. Some evil's brewing there!"

There's also the fact that Brits are being brought in to play Americans in films in general. Perhaps it's because they are cheaper?

What do you think?

British Actors Who Play Villains - Episode 118

Now, it's well known that Brits make absolutely brilliant bad guys. Who can forget Alan Rickman (albeit playing a German terrorist) in Die Hard? Also there was Charles Dance in Last Action Hero? What about George Sanders as the devious tiger Shere Khan from 1967's The Jungle Book which is arguably where the 'British Villain' trope started. 'Animated Animal Villains' as Dominic so fondly called them!

Who is your favourite British villain and why?

The Evil Brit Trope - Episode 117

By J.J. at the English language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

Ah, "the evil Brit" trope (or is it?), how we Americans love thee.  Whether it's a silent film actor in a top hat, twirling his mustache alongside a railroad track, a cartoon tiger in a 1960s Disney film, or a serial killer with a penchant for fava beans and a nice Chianti, our cup runneth over with evil British villains in American films.  In this podcast, we're diving into the reason why so many of the "bad guys" in American movies have an accent.  Also, be sure to listen for a special announcement in this podcast.  And after you've heard today's episode, let us know why you think the villain in American films is so often portrayed by a British actor.

Hallmark & Lifetime Movies - Episode 111

 
With the Netflix series 'You' becoming a phenomenon, people have compared it to a better scripted Lifetime movie. But what are Lifetime movies? Are they honestly that cheesy? Hallmark films too? In this episode we find out what exactly the differences are.

What is your favourite Hallmark or Lifetime movie?

BritBox vs Acorn TV - Podcast 80

Well, you all requested we try out BritBox and Acorn TV and review them, so we did just that!  In this podcast you'll learn all out each service, how they compare and contrast, how much they cost, how easy they are to use, and whether we'd recommend them or not.  But, as many questions as we hope we answered for you, we still have some questions of our own for listeners who are long-time subscribers of these services: How do you like them?  Which one do you prefer?  And, how often is new programming added?  Feel free to respond in the comments section below, or contact us on social media.  Finally, if any of you have any other services or anything you'd like for us to review, please do let us know!

Bond, James Bond - Podcast 60

Image: TNS Sofres, CC By 2.0

"All do that with your fingers round your eye.  I'm Roger Moore.  BANG!  Blood dribbles down..."  Okay, okay, the Alan Partridge podcast was a while ago, but he's a huge Bond fan, so the quote applies.  So, what does Alan Partridge talking about James Bond have to do with anything?  You guessed it!  This podcast is all about... wait for it... Bond.  James Bond.  (I do apologize, but there was really no avoiding it.)  Yes, today we're discussing the ultimate British spy, James Bond, in all his various incarnations.  How much does Dominic know about James Bond?  Has he read all the original Ian Fleming novels?  And, is Erica a fan?  You'll just have to listen to find out.  And once you've heard our latest chat, pop over to Twitter or our Facebook group to let us know if you're a fan of James Bond and if so, which Bond is your favorite?

Yesterday Film - Podcast 57

Himesh Patel and Lily James as Jack and Ellie in 'Yesterday' (Universal)

So, we're big Beatles fans, in case you haven't heard.  Like, big.  Maybe the biggest.  So, of course, whenever anything remotely Beatles-related is released, we're there, gobbling it up.  The new film, Yesterday, directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting), is no exception.  I'll admit I was pretty skeptical, but went in with an open mind and that's really all it takes to get swept up in this fun romantic comedy.  Richard Curtis (Love Actually), who wrote the screen play for this film, knows exactly how to make an audience turn off their mind, relax and float downstream.  (And if you don't get that reference, you are dead to me.)  Tune in to our latest podcast to hear all about this new, fun rom-com, but be warned, we WILL ruin this movie for you, so please don't listen if you haven't seen the film, but are intending on seeing it.  Let us know what you thought about Yesterday in the comments section below or on our Facebook group.

Importing Culture - Podcast 26

Steve  F [CC BY-SA 2.0]

When I went to Britain for the first time, I was shocked to see so many American fast food chains and American brands in stores and movie billboards everywhere I looked.  It wasn't exactly the experience I wanted, to feel like I'd never left home.  I wanted to feel like I was in another country, which, in fact, I was.  Having already known Dominic for a year or so, I knew he seemed pretty familiar with American culture, quoting American television shows, etc., but I had no idea the extent that American culture had been imported in the United Kingdom and presumably elsewhere in the world.  So, why isn't the same true in America?  Are we just that arrogant that we think our stuff is so superior to that of the rest of the world?  Tune in to our latest episode where we delve deeper into this topic then let us know your thoughts in the comments below.